Huawei Mate 30E Pro 5G vs. Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G: A Flagship Face-Off

Released in different eras, the Huawei Mate 30E Pro 5G and the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G represent distinct approaches to the flagship smartphone. The Mate 30E Pro 5G arrived as a late-2019/early-2020 offering, while the S20 Ultra 5G launched as Samsung’s 2020 ultra-premium device. This comparison examines how these two phones stack up, considering chipset differences, camera capabilities, and battery performance.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing camera versatility and display quality, the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G is the stronger choice. However, the Huawei Mate 30E Pro 5G offers a compelling alternative for those seeking a potentially more efficient chipset and faster wired charging, especially if software restrictions aren't a concern.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate 30E Pro 5G Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - SM-G988B
5G bands1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 NSA/Sub61, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - SM-G988B
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G (5+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2020, October 22. Released 2020, November 012020, February 11
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2020, March 06
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame
Dimensions158.1 x 73.1 x 8.8 mm (6.22 x 2.88 x 0.35 in)166.9 x 76 x 8.8 mm (6.57 x 2.99 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight198 g (6.98 oz)222 g (7.83 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 2m for 30 mins)-
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1176 x 2400 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~511 ppi density)
Size6.53 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~94.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.9 inches, 114.0 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, HDR10Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1400 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.73 GHz Mongoose M5 & 2x2.50 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - GlobalOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) - USA
ChipsetKirin 990E 5G (7 nm+)Exynos 990 (7 nm+) - GlobalQualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) - USA
GPUMali-G76 MP14Mali-G77 MP11 - GlobalAdreno 650 - USA
OSAndroid 10, EMUI 11, no Google Play ServicesAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
 UFS 3.0-
Main Camera
FeaturesLeica optics, color spectrum sensor, dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Triple40 MP, f/1.6, 27mm (wide), 1/1.7", PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 40 MP, f/1.8, 18mm (ultrawide), 1/1.54", PDAF TOF 3D, (depth)108 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.33", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/3.5, 103mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS, 4x optical zoom, 10x hybrid zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55" 1.4µm, Super Steady video 0.3 MP, TOF 3D, f/1.0, (depth)
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 1080p@960fps, 720p@7680fps, gyro-EIS8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS & OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)40 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.7µm, PDAF
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack No-
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/384kHz audio -
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoFM radio (Snapdragon model only; market/operator dependent)
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, DLNA, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFace ID, fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compassFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging40W wired 27W wireless Reverse wireless45W wired, PD3.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Space Silver, Cosmic Purple, Emerald Green, Orange, Forest GreenCosmic Grey, Cosmic Black, Cloud White
ModelsLIO-AN00mSM-G988, SM-G988U, SM-G988U1, SM-G9880, SM-G988B/DS, SM-G988N, SM-G988B, SM-G988W, SCG03
PriceAbout 680 EUR€ 227.11 / $ 184.00 / £ 335.00
SAR-0.94 W/kg (head)     0.95 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.32 W/kg (head)     1.56 W/kg (body)

Huawei Mate 30E Pro 5G

  • Faster 40W wired charging
  • Potentially more power-efficient Kirin 990E 5G chipset
  • Reverse wireless charging

  • Lack of full Google Mobile Services
  • Less versatile camera system compared to S20 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G

  • Brighter and higher-resolution display
  • More versatile camera system with advanced zoom capabilities
  • Full Android experience with Samsung One UI

  • Exynos 990 variant can suffer from thermal throttling
  • Slower wireless charging compared to Mate 30E Pro 5G

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 894 nits. While the Mate 30E Pro 5G’s display specs aren’t explicitly provided, Samsung’s peak brightness provides a clear advantage for outdoor visibility. The S20 Ultra’s larger screen size and higher resolution also contribute to a more immersive viewing experience. The S20 Ultra likely utilizes a higher PWM dimming rate, potentially making it more comfortable for users sensitive to screen flicker, a detail absent from the Mate 30E Pro 5G’s specifications.

Camera Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G’s camera system is more comprehensively specified. While the Mate 30E Pro 5G is known for its strong camera performance, details are limited. The S20 Ultra’s emphasis on sensor size and optical image stabilization (OIS) suggests superior low-light performance and video stabilization. The S20 Ultra’s camera system is designed for versatility, offering a range of focal lengths and shooting modes. The presence of a dedicated telephoto lens with high zoom capabilities is a significant advantage over the Mate 30E Pro 5G, which likely relies more on digital zoom.

Performance

The chipset is a key differentiator. The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G shipped with either the Exynos 990 (globally) or the Snapdragon 865 (USA). The Snapdragon 865, built on a 7nm+ process, generally offers superior sustained performance and thermal management compared to the Exynos 990. The Mate 30E Pro 5G utilizes the Kirin 990E 5G, also a 7nm+ chip. While the Kirin 990E’s CPU core configuration (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76, 2x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76, 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) is complex, the Snapdragon 865’s Cortex-A77 cores (in the US variant) provide a performance edge. The S20 Ultra’s LPDDR5 RAM further enhances its multitasking capabilities.

Battery Life

The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G achieved an Endurance rating of 87 hours, indicating solid battery life. While the Mate 30E Pro 5G’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the S20 Ultra’s endurance rating suggests it can comfortably last a full day of moderate to heavy use. The S20 Ultra supports 45W wired charging with PD3.0, enabling faster charging speeds than the Mate 30E Pro 5G’s 40W charging. The S20 Ultra also offers 15W wireless charging (Qi standard) and 4.5W reverse wireless charging, while the Mate 30E Pro 5G provides 27W wireless and reverse wireless charging.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate 30E Pro 5G if you need fast 40W wired charging, a potentially more power-efficient Kirin 990E 5G chipset, and are comfortable navigating a software ecosystem without full Google Mobile Services. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G if you prioritize a brighter, higher-quality display, a more versatile camera system, and the convenience of the full Android experience with Samsung’s One UI.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 990 in the Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 990 variant of the Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G is known to be more prone to thermal throttling than the Snapdragon 865 version. While it won't necessarily overheat to the point of being unusable, users may experience reduced performance during extended gaming or demanding tasks. The Snapdragon 865 variant offers significantly better thermal management.
❓ How significant is the lack of Google Mobile Services on the Huawei Mate 30E Pro 5G?
The absence of Google Mobile Services (GMS) means you won't have direct access to the Google Play Store or core Google apps like Gmail, YouTube, and Google Maps. Huawei provides its own app ecosystem (AppGallery) and workarounds for accessing some Google services, but the experience isn't seamless and requires some technical know-how.
❓ Is the 27W wireless charging on the Mate 30E Pro 5G noticeably faster than the 15W wireless charging on the S20 Ultra 5G?
Yes, the 27W wireless charging on the Mate 30E Pro 5G is significantly faster than the 15W wireless charging on the S20 Ultra 5G. This translates to a considerably shorter charging time when using a compatible wireless charger.
❓ How does the image processing differ between the Mate 30E Pro 5G and the Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G?
Samsung generally favors a more vibrant and saturated look in its image processing, while Huawei often aims for a more natural and realistic color profile. Both phones produce excellent images, but the aesthetic differences are noticeable. The S20 Ultra also offers more advanced computational photography features.